Podcasts about eu state

You spend time reading ingredient labels, buying organic, choosing healthier foods—but what if the biggest threat isn't what's in your food... it's what your food is touching? In this eye-opening Fatal Conveniences episode, Darin uncovers the hidden health risks lurking inside everyday food packaging. From takeout containers and greasy wrappers to microwave-safe plastics and canned food linings, he explains how chemicals like PFAS, BPA, phthalates, and microplastics migrate directly into your meals—especially when heat, fat, and time are involved. Using newly introduced federal legislation, peer-reviewed scientific research, and practical solutions you can implement immediately, Darin reveals why food packaging may be one of the most overlooked sources of toxic exposure in modern life. Most importantly, he shares simple steps you can take today to dramatically reduce your family's exposure without waiting for government regulation. This episode isn't about fear—it's about reclaiming your sovereignty, making informed choices, and recognizing that what touches your food matters just as much as what's inside it. What You'll Learn Why food packaging may be contaminating your meals How PFAS, BPA, and phthalates migrate into hot food Why heat, fat, and time dramatically increase chemical exposure The truth behind "microwave-safe" plastic containers What the new No Toxics in Food Packaging Act proposes How endocrine disruptors interfere with hormones and metabolism Why microplastics and nanoplastics increase during reheating Which plastic recycling codes to eliminate from your kitchen Why grease-resistant paper can be just as problematic as plastic Practical ways to reduce your family's exposure immediately How choosing glass, stainless steel, and ceramic can lower toxic burden Why informed consumers—not regulators—will drive lasting change Chapters 00:00:00 – Welcome to SuperLife 00:00:35 – Sponsor: Bite Toothpaste 00:02:51 – The fast-food wrapper that changes everything 00:03:54 – Why packaging deserves as much attention as ingredients 00:04:51 – The overlooked Fatal Convenience hiding in plain sight 00:05:13 – Introducing the No Toxics in Food Packaging Act 00:06:10 – Why plastic isn't chemically inert 00:06:52 – BPA, phthalates, PFAS, and food-contact chemicals explained 00:07:49 – How heat, fat, and time pull toxins into your food 00:08:39 – The dangerous assumption that "legal" means "safe" 00:09:41 – Inside the new federal legislation 00:11:01 – The science proving chemical migration is real 00:12:08 – Why hot, fatty foods absorb the most contaminants 00:13:34 – Millions of microplastics released during microwaving 00:14:15 – Sponsor: Manna Vitality 00:16:09 – New research on microwavable containers 00:17:48 – PFAS: the forever chemicals in food packaging 00:18:46 – Fast food consumption and higher PFAS blood levels 00:19:24 – What these chemicals actually do inside the body 00:20:39 – Why carcinogens are still legally used in food-contact materials 00:21:37 – The FDA loophole allowing chemicals into the food supply 00:23:36 – Practical steps to reduce exposure today 00:24:13 – Why you should immediately transfer takeout into glass 00:25:13 – Plastics to eliminate from your kitchen 00:26:17 – Supporting better legislation and voting with your wallet 00:27:51 – Awareness creates freedom and better choices 00:28:58 – The future of safe food packaging 00:29:37 – Final thoughts: reclaiming your health through everyday decisions Thank You to Our Sponsors Bite Toothpaste: Go to trybite.com/DARIN20 or use code DARIN20 for 20% off your first order Manna Vitality: Go to mannavitality.com/ and use code DARIN12 for 12% off your order. Join the SuperLife Patreon: This is where Darin now shares the deeper work: - weekly voice notes - ingredient trackers - wellness challenges - extended conversations - community accountability - sovereignty practices Join now for only $7.49/month at https://patreon.com/darinolien Find More from Darin Olien: Website: darinolien.com Instagram: @darinolien Book: Fatal Conveniences Platform & Products: superlife.com New Show: Roadmap to Happiness Key Takeaway "The health of your food isn't determined solely by where it came from or what's listed on the nutrition label—it's also determined by what touches it before it reaches your body. Heat, fat, time, and modern packaging create opportunities for chemicals to migrate directly into your meals, but awareness gives you the power to interrupt that process. By choosing glass over plastic, transferring takeout immediately, minimizing processed packaging, and making conscious daily decisions, you reduce toxic exposure while reclaiming sovereignty over your health. Real wellness isn't built through fear—it's built through informed choices repeated every day." Bibliography/Sources: Legislation & Government Sources Food Dive. (2025, September 11). FDA takes first step toward closing GRAS ingredient 'loophole' . https://www.fooddive.com/news/food-ingredient-safety-gras-fda-rule/759938/ Office of Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. (n.d.). Schakowsky, DeLauro, Dingell introduce legislation to ban harmful toxics in food packaging [Press release] . https://schakowsky.house.gov/media/press-releases/schakowsky-delauro-dingell-introduce-legislation-ban-harmful-toxics-food U.S. Congress. (2026, June 9). H.R. 9231 - No Toxic Chemicals in Food Packaging Act of 2026 (119th Congress). House Committee on Energy and Commerce . U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 4724 - No Toxic Chemicals in Food Packaging Act of 2026 (119th Congress). Congress.gov . https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/4724 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2025). HHS Secretary Kennedy directs FDA to explore rulemaking to eliminate pathway for companies to self-affirm food ingredients are safe . https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/revising-gras-pathway.html U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2024). FDA announces PFAS used in grease-proofing agents for food packaging no longer being sold in the U.S. . https://www.fda.gov/food/hfp-constituent-updates/fda-announces-pfas-used-grease-proofing-agents-food-packaging-no-longer-being-sold-us Verdant Law. (2026). Federal legislation would deem 15 chemicals unsafe in food packaging . https://www.verdantlaw.com/federal-legislation-would-deem-15-chemicals-unsafe-in-food-packaging/ Industry & News Coverage Breast Cancer Prevention Partners. (n.d.). Support the federal 'No Toxics in Food Packaging Act of 2026'. Action Network . https://actionnetwork.org/forms/support-the-federal-no-toxics-in-food-packaging-act-of-2026 Flavorist. (2026). No Toxics in Food Packaging Act 2026: A major push to remove harmful chemicals from food packaging . https://www.flavorist.com/the-push-to-ban-forever-chemicals-and-toxins-from-food-packaging-what-the-new-bill-means-for-consumers-and-industry/ Food Dive. (2026). Bill in Congress targets 'forever chemicals' in food packaging . https://www.fooddive.com/news/no-toxics-in-food-packaging-act-2026/822803/ Packaging Dive. (2026). Bill in Congress targets PFAS, phthalates, BPA in food packaging . https://www.packagingdive.com/news/no-toxics-in-food-packaging-act-2026/822601/ Migration & Packaging Chemistry Studies A simulation study on the temperature-dependent release of endocrine-disrupting chemicals from polypropylene and polystyrene containers. (2025). Scientific Reports . https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-05036-7 A systematic review: Migration of chemical compounds from plastic material containers in food and pharmaceutical fields. (2025). PubMed Central . https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12641956/ European Parliamentary Research Service. (2026). Food contact materials in the EU: State of play. European Parliament . https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2026/782669/EPRS_BRI(2026)782669_EN.pdf Migration of bisphenol A and its derivatives from epoxy coatings and demand for BPA-NI products. (n.d.). PubMed Central . https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12711388/ Seref, et al. (2025). Food packaging and chemical migration: A food safety perspective. Journal of Food Science . https://ift.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1750-3841.70265 Stevens, S., Bartosova, Z., Völker, J., & Wagner, M. (2024). Migration of endocrine and metabolism disrupting chemicals from plastic food packaging. Environment International, 189, 108791 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2024.108791 Tanzer, M., Boissiere-O'Neill, T., Sly, P., & Vilcins, D. (2025). Phthalates, bisphenols and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances migration from food packaging into food: A systematic review. Reviews on Environmental Health, 40(3), 616–625 . https://doi.org/10.1515/reveh-2025-0027 Heat, Microwaving & Microplastics Food Safety Magazine. (2026). Report raises concerns about microplastics, chemicals released by microwavable meals . https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11211-report-raises-concerns-about-microplastics-chemicals-released-by-microwavable-meals Greenpeace International. (2026). Reheating plastic food containers: What science says about microplastics and chemicals in ready meals . https://www.greenpeace.org/international/story/81649/reheating-plastic-food-containers-what-science-says-about-microplastics-chemicals-ready-meals/ INTEGRIS Health. (2025). Is it safe to reheat food in plastic? . https://integrishealth.org/resources/on-your-health/2025/november/is-it-safe-to-reheat-food-in-plastic ScienceInsights. (2026). What happens if you microwave plastic: Health risks . https://scienceinsights.org/what-happens-if-you-microwave-plastic-health-risks/ ZeroToxins. (2026). Food packaging and chemical migration: What happens when heat meets plastic . https://www.zerotoxins.com/post/food-packaging-and-chemical-migration-what-happens-when-heat-meets-plastic PFAS in Fast Food & Grease-Resistant Packaging Consumer Reports. (2022). Consumer Reports finds dangerous PFAS chemicals widespread in fast food packaging tested . https://advocacy.consumerreports.org/press_release/consumer-reports-finds-dangerous-pfas-chemicals-widespread-in-fast-food-packaging-tested/ Determination of several PFAS groups in food packaging material from fast-food restaurants in France. (2023). ScienceDirect. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653523020015 Environmental Health News. (2023). Burgers and fries with a side of PFAS . https://www.ehn.org/fast-food-pfas Food Manufacturing. (2022). Pressure growing to remove PFAS from fast food wrappers . https://www.foodmanufacturing.com/packaging/news/22250166/pressure-growing-to-remove-pfas-from-fast-food-wrappers Endocrine Disruption, Fertility & Cancer Risk Associations between endocrine-disrupting chemical exposure and fertility outcomes: A decade of human epidemiological evidence. (2025). PubMed Central . https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12299029/ Medtigo Journal. (2026). Endocrine disrupting chemicals and health in Europe: A systematic review and meta-analysis . https://journal.medtigo.com/endocrine-disrupting-chemicals-and-health-in-europe-a-systematic-review-and-meta-analysis/ Trasande, L., & Sargis, R. M. (2024). Endocrine-disrupting chemicals: Mainstream recognition of health effects and implications for the practicing internist. Journal of Internal Medicine, 295, 259–274 . The GRAS Loophole & FDA Oversight Environmental Working Group. (2026). Secret GRAS: How 100+ food chemicals bypassed government safety review . https://www.ewg.org/research/secret-gras-how-100-food-chemicals-bypassed-government-safety-review Epstein Becker Green. (2025). Eliminating the GRAS pathway: An update . https://www.healthlawadvisor.com/eliminating-the-gras-pathway-an-update Food Safety Magazine. (2024). 'Toxic Free Food Act' would close FDA GRAS 'loophole' allowing potentially toxic additives in food . https://www.food-safety.com/articles/9768-toxic-free-food-act-would-close-fda-gras-loophole-allowing-potentially-toxic-additives-in-food New York University. (2024). How a legal loophole allows unsafe ingredients in U.S. foods . https://www.nyu.edu/about/news-publications/news/2024/august/legal-loophole-unsafe-ingredients.html Thompson Coburn LLP. (2026). The changing landscape of U.S. food additive regulation: MAHA and the end of business as usual . https://www.thompsoncoburn.com/insights/the-changing-landscape-of-u-s-food-additive-regulation-maha-and-the-end-of-business-as-usual/

World news in 7 minutes. Thursday 11th September 2025.Today: Poland Russian drones. Sweden child crime. EU state of union. Indonesia floods. China reserve. Hong Kong bill veto. Cuba power. United States megachurch leader. Congo Ebola. Botswana wealth fund. Africa school meals.With Juliet MartinSEND7 is supported by our amazing listeners like you.Our supporters get access to the transcripts written by us every day.Our supporters get access to an English worksheet made by us once per week. Our supporters get access to our weekly news quiz made by us once per week. We give 10% of our profit to Effective Altruism charities. You can become a supporter at send7.org/supportContact us at podcast@send7.org or send an audio message at speakpipe.com/send7Please leave a rating on Apple podcasts or Spotify.We don't use AI! Every word is written and recorded by us!Since 2020, SEND7 (Simple English News Daily in 7 minutes) has been telling the most important world news stories in intermediate English. Every day, listen to the most important stories from every part of the world in slow, clear English. Whether you are an intermediate learner trying to improve your advanced, technical and business English, or if you are a native speaker who just wants to hear a summary of world news as fast as possible, join Stephen Devincenzi, Ben Mallett and Juliet Martin every morning. Transcripts, worksheets and our weekly world news quiz are available for our amazing supporters at send7.org. Simple English News Daily is the perfect way to start your day, by practising your listening skills and understanding complicated stories in a simple way. It is also highly valuable for IELTS and TOEFL students. Students, teachers, TEFL teachers, and people with English as a second language, tell us that they use SEND7 because they can learn English through hard topics, but simple grammar. We believe that the best way to improve your spoken English is to immerse yourself in real-life content, such as what our podcast provides. SEND7 covers all news including politics, business, natural events and human rights. Whether it is happening in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Americas or Oceania, you will hear it on SEND7, and you will understand it.For more information visit send7.org/contact or send an email to podcast@send7.org

GET NON-MRNA FREEZE DRIED MEAT HERE: https://wambeef.com/ Use code WAMBEEF to save 20%! GET HEIRLOOM SEEDS & NON GMO SURVIVAL FOOD HERE: https://heavensharvest.com/ USE Code WAM to save 5% plus free shipping! Get local, healthy, pasture raised meat delivered to your door here: https://wildpastures.com/promos/save-20-for-life/bonus15?oid=6&affid=321 USE THE LINK & get 20% off for life and $15 off your first box! SIGN UP FOR HOMESTEADING COURSES NOW: https://freedomfarmers.com/link/17150/ Get Prepared & Start The Move Towards Real Independence With Curtis Stone's Courses! GET YOUR APRICOT SEEDS at the life-saving Richardson Nutritional Center HERE: https://rncstore.com/r?id=bg8qc1 Josh Sigurdson reports on the continuing Bird Flu hoax leading to shortages across the board as US dairy cows test "positive" for a second type of Bird Flu they're calling D1.1. Conveniently, these cows have no symptoms, much like the child they recently claimed had Bird Flu in a house full of other kids who all had the regular flu and HAD symptoms. They're of course using PCR testing for this which is overtly fraudulent. The fearmongering continues to be forced down our throats and normalized as President Donald Trump says he's on board with Bill Gates when it comes to partnering up for Operation Warpspeed 2.0 according to Gates. With the recent 500 billion dollars pledged by Trump for AI and mRNA cancer vaccines, this isn't shocking. The meat industry has been "testing" mRNA vaccines in cows for quite some time and have increased tests dramatically, yet traces of mRNA have been found in the meat supply already and calls for modRNA (modified RNA) meant to survive digestion being put in the food supply are gaining steam. With 100,000 eggs being stolen in Pennsylvania recently on top of the already existing shortages, the gridlocks caused by war and the climate agenda's attack on farmers, there's no doubt there's a plan in place to force us on rations. Especially considering the rollout of the digital ID system and the concerted effort to indeed ration foods based on behavior scores with The United Nations' Pact For The Future, signed by 193 countries. We can praise the many countries leaving the WHO all we want but the rules and mandates still remain and they're coming in fast, especially with the backing of things like the Pact For The Future. All the while, the EU state of Estonia is calling on people to stock up on food and water. That is a no-brainer at this point, isn't it? Stay tuned for more from WAM! GET TICKETS TO ANARCHAPULCO HERE: https://anarchapulco.com/ Save money by using code WAM GET YOUR WAV WATCH HERE: https://buy.wavwatch.com/WAM Use Code WAM to save $100 and purchase amazing healing frequency technology! GET ORGANIC CHAGA MUSHROOMS HERE: https://alaskachaga.com/wam Use code WAM to save money! See shop for a wide range of products! GET AMAZING MEAT STICKS HERE: https://4db671-1e.myshopify.com/discount/WAM?rfsn=8425577.918561&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=8425577.918561 USE CODE WAM TO SAVE MONEY! GET YOUR FREEDOM KELLY KETTLE KIT HERE: https://patriotprepared.com/shop/freedom-kettle/ Use Code WAM and enjoy many solutions for the outdoors in the face of the impending reset! BUY GOLD HERE: https://firstnationalbullion.com/schedule-consult/ HELP SUPPORT US AS WE DOCUMENT HISTORY HERE: https://gogetfunding.com/help-wam-cover-history/ PayPal: ancientwonderstelevision@gmail.com FIND OUR CoinTree page here: https://cointr.ee/joshsigurdson JOIN US on SubscribeStar here: https://www.subscribestar.com/world-alternative-media For subscriber only content! Pledge here! Just a dollar a month can help us alive! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=2652072&ty=h&u=2652072 BITCOIN ADDRESS: 18d1WEnYYhBRgZVbeyLr6UfiJhrQygcgNU World Alternative Media 2025

In this special episode of Good Morning Hospitality EU, Leo Walton and Simon Lehmann, CEO of AJL Atelier, explore the evolving landscape of the European short-term rental market. Simon shares his expert insights on the ongoing fragmentation of the market, emphasizing how the sector remains hyperlocal, with even the largest players holding a small market share. He highlights the role of technology in allowing smaller property managers to compete while addressing the growing impact of regulations, particularly in urban areas, and the challenges they pose to operators. Simon predicts tougher times ahead for the industry, with falling ADRs and an oversupply of properties. However, he also identifies opportunities for growth in budget travel and niche sectors like camping. The discussion wraps up with a look at how AI could transform property search processes and optimize guest experiences. OTAs remain dominant but face potential disruption from niche platforms. Tune in to learn how property managers can navigate these changes and position themselves for success in 2024 and beyond. — Good Morning Hospitality is part of the Hospitality.FM podcast network and a Hospitality.FM Original. If you like this podcast, then you'll also love Behind The Stays with Zach Busekrus, which comes out every Tuesday & Friday, wherever you get your podcasts! This show is structured to cover industry news in travel and hospitality and is recorded live every Monday morning at 7 a.m. PST/10 a.m. EST. So make sure you tune in during our live show on our social media channels or YouTube and join the conversation live! Thank you to all of the Hospitality.FM Partners that help make this show possible, and if you have any press you want covered during the show, fill out this form! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special episode of Good Morning Hospitality EU, Leo Walton and Simon Lehmann, CEO of AJL Atelier, explore the evolving landscape of the European short-term rental market. Simon shares his expert insights on the ongoing fragmentation of the market, emphasizing how the sector remains hyperlocal, with even the largest players holding a small market share. He highlights the role of technology in allowing smaller property managers to compete while addressing the growing impact of regulations, particularly in urban areas, and the challenges they pose to operators. Simon predicts tougher times ahead for the industry, with falling ADRs and an oversupply of properties. However, he also identifies opportunities for growth in budget travel and niche sectors like camping. The discussion wraps up with a look at how AI could transform property search processes and optimize guest experiences. OTAs remain dominant but face potential disruption from niche platforms. Tune in to learn how property managers can navigate these changes and position themselves for success in 2024 and beyond. — Good Morning Hospitality is part of the Hospitality.FM podcast network and a Hospitality.FM Original. If you like this podcast, then you'll also love Behind The Stays with Zach Busekrus, which comes out every Tuesday & Friday, wherever you get your podcasts! This show is structured to cover industry news in travel and hospitality and is recorded live every Monday morning at 7 a.m. PST/10 a.m. EST. So make sure you tune in during our live show on our social media channels or YouTube and join the conversation live! Thank you to all of the Hospitality.FM Partners that help make this show possible, and if you have any press you want covered during the show, fill out this form! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fiona Garside, a Senior Expertise Lawyer in Ashurst's Antitrust, Foreign Investment and Regulation team, is joined by partners Christophe Lemaire and Donald Slater. Subsidies granted by EU Member are already subject to EU State aid control, but there have been concerns about the impact of foreign subsidies on the internal market. Fiona, Christophe and Donald discuss the anticipated impact of the FSR and potential challenges and opportunities in its application. This is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we talk about the EU's proposal to match the US state aid under its Inflation Reduction Act. We also take a look at how effective sanctions on Russia's refined oil products will be.

In this episode, Rebecca Timms and James Harrison discuss subsidy control within the UK post-Brexit: including current obligations under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the new UK Subsidy Control Bill that will govern the future UK regime, and the interaction between the new UK regime and EU State aid rules.

For subsidiaries of U.S. companies looking to establish and/or grow their presence in an EU Member State and are perhaps seeking financial assistance from one of the Member States, it's important to be aware of the European Union's regulation of State aid. What is State aid and how does it impact U.S. companies with subsidiaries in the European Union, including France? We're discussing the latest updates to EU State aid and discussing these controls vis-à-vis COVID-19.  Joining the podcast is Jacques Derenne, the Co-Leader of Sheppard Mullin's Antitrust and Competition Group and the head of the EU Competition & Regulatory practice at Sheppard Mullin's Brussels office. He is a member of the Brussels and Paris bars. He is also a Professor at the University of Liège and at the Brussels School of Competition. The co-hosts for this episode are Valérie Demont and Sarah Ben-Moussa. Valérie Demont is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin's New York Office and the Co-Chair of Sheppard Mullin's French Desk. Valérie focuses her practice primarily on U.S. and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and securities offerings and corporate governance matters. She has been involved in numerous mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and dispositions for corporations and private equity funds in the U.S., Europe and Asia (including India). In particular, she routinely advises foreign companies with the establishment and growth of their operations in the United States. Sarah Ben-Moussa is an associate in the Corporate Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin's New York office and is a member of the firm's Energy, Infrastructure and Project Finance team. Sarah focuses her practice on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, financings and corporate governance matters. As a member of the firm's French Desk, she has advised companies and private equity funds in both the United States and Europe on mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, financings, complex commercial agreements, and general corporate matters. What We Discussed in This Episode: What is European Union (EU) State aid and why does it exist? What are the cumulative criteria that must exist to justify the existence of a State aid? What is the process of seeking State aid approval from the European Commission? Can a U.S. company with a foreign subsidiary benefit from State aid? If a French business wanted to set up a company in the U.S., can they apply and receive assistance from the French government? If so, how? Is any COVID-19 financial assistance to companies considered State aid? Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, what guidelines did the European Commission provide regarding the issuance of State aid? How are block exemption regulations allowing companies to avoid the State aid prior notification requirement? What can companies learn from State aid-related litigation in the airline industry? How the proposed EU regulation on the control of foreign subsidies is likely to impact non-EU companies, such as U.S. companies, investing in the EU? Resource: The European Commission Adopts a Proposal for a Regulation on Foreign Subsidies Distorting the Internal Market, by Jacques Derenne  Contact Information: Jacques Derenne - https://www.sheppardmullin.com/jderenne  Sheppard Mullin French Desk: www.sheppardfrenchdesk.com Co-Chair - Valérie Demont –  https://www.sheppardmullin.com/vdemont  Co-Chair - Christine Hoefliger Hourcade - https://www.sheppardmullin.com/choefliger  Sarah Ben-Moussa - https://www.sheppardmullin.com/sbenmoussa   Thank you for listening! Don't forget to FOLLOW to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player. If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. You can listen in Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Stitcher Radio, Google Podcasts, or Spotify. Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns: LinkedIn Facebook Twitter  Sheppard Mullin French Desk website This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

As European Union State aid rules evolve in their efforts to “level the playing field” among member states, we’re examining the impact of current events like COVID-19 and Brexit on general State aid rules and discussing anticipated future policy changes. Joining me for this conversation are two guests, Jacques Derenne and Robert Klotz. Jacques Derenne is the Co-Leader of Sheppard Mullin’s Antitrust and Competition Group and the head of the EU Competition & Regulatory practice at Sheppard Mullin’s Brussels office. He is a member of the Brussels and Paris bars. He is also a Professor at the University of Liège and at the Brussels School of Competition. Robert Klotz is a partner in the Antitrust & Competition Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin’s Brussels office. Robert concentrates on all aspects of EU and German competition and regulatory law and represents clients before the European Commission and national authorities, with a particular focus on network industries, such as energy, telecommunications, post and transport.  What We Discussed in This Episode: What is European Union (EU) State aid, and why does it exist? How does State aid ensure EU market integration? How is EU State aid different than U.S. government incentives? Does the European member state populace understand the connection between the linked EU economies and the successful avoidance of war throughout history? What is the EU doing to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on State aid? Will Brexit affect State aid in any way? If so, how? How is the European Commission controlling foreign (non-EU) subsidies and why? How are current reform discussions going? What are some criticisms of EU controls? Will there be added stress on the EU as China emerges as a world economic leader? Contact Information: Jacques’s Sheppard Mullin attorney profile  Robert’s Sheppard Mullin attorney profile  Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every Wednesday.  If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio, Google Podcasts, or Spotify.  It helps other listeners find this show.  Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns: LinkedIn Facebook Twitter  Sheppard Mullin website  This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

The European Commission's EU State aid investigations into the tax ruling practices of EU countries are highly controversial - none more so than its ruling, overturned in court, that Apple pay back multi-billion Euros to Ireland. What is EU State aid law and what are these cases about? Alfonso Lamadrid, Brussels-based lawyer with Garrigues, joins Christina Ma and Matthew Hall to discuss the background to the Apple/Ireland case, the findings in the case, why it was overturned and the implications of this. Listen to this episode to learn more about the critical area of EU State aid law and its application to tax rulings in the EU. Related Links: European Commission 2016 press release on Apple/Ireland State aid decision European Commission 2016 Apple/Ireland State aid decision European Commission 2020 statement (Commissioner Vestager) on General Court judgment overturning 2016 Apple/Ireland State aid decision General Court of the European Union 2020 press release on Apple/Ireland judgment General Court of the European Union 2020 Apple/Ireland judgment Hosted by: Christina Ma, Associate, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz and Matthew Hall, Partner, McGuireWoods London LLP

Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services (ITS) Leader) and Calum Dewar (a Partner in PwC's Washington National Tax Services (WNTS) ITS practice and leader of PwC's US Integrated Global Structuring practice) discuss the recently-issued Apple State Aid opinion from the General Court of the European Union. Doug and Calum discuss: what State Aid is; what the General Court's opinion says and how to interpret it; the procedure behind the European Commission's initial 2016 decision, including why Apple was not actually the defendant in the initial case, but why both the Irish government and Apple appealed the EC's decision to the General Court; the impact of US cost-sharing rules and transfer pricing methodologies on the General Court's decision; the role of 'selectivity' in State Aid; how the EC may act in this case, and in other State Aid cases, going forward; and what impact digital services taxes and the OECD's base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) project may have on State Aid in the future.

Last week, Boris Johnson refused Thomas Cook's request for financial assistance from the Government, reportedly to avoid a "moral hazard" for other failing businesses.  Yet, when Condor – a German subsidiary of Thomas Cook – requested a reported €200m of financial assistance in that same week, the German government is reported to have provided a €320m bridging loan to Condor.  What gives? In this podcast, we separate soundbites from State aid - and take a look at what the EU State aid rules mean for firms facing financial difficulty.

A review of the week's major US international tax-related news. In this edition: Final Section 385 debt/equity regulations sent to White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs for review -- House Ways and Means Committee Republicans again urge Administration to delay finalizing Section 385 regulations – US Treasury official strongly criticizes EU State aid investigations – EY global survey finds increasing audits and more aggressive enforcement from tax authorities around the world.

A review of the week's major US international tax-related news. In this edition: US government reaction to EU State aid investigations – House speaker expects tax reform in 2017 – IRS official predicts avalanche of MAP cases.

Congressional Republicans maintain opposition to Proposed Section 385 regulations -- IRS focusing on FATCA IGAs currently ‘in effect’ -- Obama Administration issues White Paper on EU State aid investigations – IRS final regulations issued on 2% tax on payments US government makes to foreign persons under certain contracts -- Treasury/IRS 2016-2017 Priority Guidance Plan contains several new international tax projects -- Lawsuit filed challenging anti-corporate inversion regulations -- OECD releases Discussion Draft on branch mismatch structures.

A review of the week's major US international tax-related news. In this edition: US Treasury reviewing Section 891 in context of EU State aid investigations – Treasury Secretary says legislation necessary to stem corporate inversions – US will cancel sharing of CbC reports with any country that publicly discloses data.

US international tax reform takes on added urgency in Congress – Obama Administration’s FY 2017 Budget includes international provisions substantially similar to FY 2016 proposals – Treasury releases 2016 US Model Income Tax Treaty – US Treasury official comments on EU State aid investigations -- IRS amends regulations allocating partnership foreign tax expense – FIRPTA regulations amended to reflect Path Act -- IRS files appeal in Altera Corp. v. Commissioner – IRS names new Associate Chief Counsel (international).

House Ways and Means Committee to mark-up international tax reform bill in 2016 – Senate Finance Committee leaders express concern over EU State aid investigations – President Obama delivers State of the Union address – US legislation has implications for certain foreign pension funds –IRS Notice 2016-10 offers guidance for RICs with Section 853 elections alternative methods for handling foreign tax refunds – Treasury is considering foreign goodwill exception in final Section 367 regulations – Sixth Circuit holds FX option is Section 1256 contract, reverses Tax Court.

A review of the week's major US international tax-related news. In this edition: Congressional hearings highlight concern over BEPS, EU State aid investigations and inversions –Negotiations continue on bipartisan tax extenders package.

Italy’s electricity transmission system operator Terna hopes to introduce a capacity market in 2016, where it will auction options products annually. This means payments will be linked to available capacity of plants rather than their electricity output. Its 2016 deadline will have to depend on EU state aid approval. ICIS Italian market reporters Riccardo Patrian and Matilde Mereghetti examine the issue in more depth.

On 26 January 2021, Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight, gave a press conference on the European Batteries Alliance, in Brussels, Belgium.The Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a second Important Project of Common European Interest (“IPCEI”) to support research and innovation in the battery value chain. The project, called “European Battery Innovation” was jointly prepared and notified by Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden.The twelve Member States will provide up to €2.9 billion in funding in the coming years. The public funding is expected to unlock an additional €9 billion in private investments, i.e. more than three times the public support. The project complements the first IPCEI in the battery value chain that the Commission approved in December 2019.